LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap. __ . Copyright No. 

Shelf .U.i.S" H -f- 
I'lOO 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




THE AUTHOR. 



HEART-WHISPERS 



BY- 



Effie S. Black. 



Published by F. M. Barton, 
Ci.EVEi.AND, ... - New York. 



V. 



Compensation 7 

To wake each morn 8 

Shadows 9 

Apple blossoms 10 

Childhood's fleeting days 11 

Wha'U keep my bairn ? 12 

The Robin's first song 13 

Spring beauties 15 

Falling leaves 16 

Night and day 18 

June 19 

The little red jacket 20 

Afterwhile 21 

Reflection 22 

Bleeding heart 23 

Anemone 24 

Gratitude 24 

The Oriole's nest 25 

Risen 26 

Life like a river flows 27 

Christmas bells 29 

A plea 30 

Dearer than in childhood's days 31 

Heart whispers 33 

Supplication 34 

5 



CONTENTS. 

America 35 

When my heart knoweth peace 36 

The good shepherd 37 

Christmas flowers 38 

Always in de white folks' way 39 

Because of you 40 

A morning reverie 4i 

Shepherds heard the angels sing 42 

Penitence 43 

Why do the stars fade 43 

Petition 45 

The little tin sword 46 

Dwell in me 47 

Winona 49 

Trust 51 

What if my Lord should come to-night ?.. . 52 

Keep thou my heart 53 

Coming again 54 

He loves us still 55 

Purple Columbine 56 

Fantine's farewell to Cosette 57 

Spirit, tender, holy 58 

Invocation 60 

Sounds from home 61 



Three pioneers 65-93 

6 



HEART-WHISPERS. 



COMPENSATION. 

The darkest hour is just before the morn- 
ing; 

The roses' fragrance sweeter after rain; 

The tuneful birds sing happier songs at 
dawning; 

And joy doth ever follow grief and pain, 

The trailing arbutus on snowy hillside, 
The modest lichens on dead wood and stone, 
Teach us that where grim cold and death 

reside 
Kind nature will in some sweet way atone. 
7 



Heart- Whispers. 



TO WAKE EACH MORN. 

To wake each morn, amid new scenes and 

pleasures, 
Yet live forever in an humble cot 
Is wonderful to me ; tho' all in nature 
Forever changes, and yet changes not. 

The flowers about us change with every 

season, 
Yet bloom the same around the path we 

tread ; 
The stars — the great kaleidoscope of 

heaven — 
In one unceasing round have ever sped. 

May my life be like fragrant blossoms 

'round me, 
A sweet expression of the Father's love ; 
My heart be like a star for others glowing, 
Yet like a star, forever fixed above. 



Shadows. 



SHADOWS. 

Shadows fall in hearts and faces, 
Hiding much of life's sunshine; 
And they ever leave their traces 
In your life, dear friend, and mine. 

Shadows oft times prove a blessing, 
Too much sunshine withereth; 
There is no time so refreshing 
As when night's shade falleth. 

Sometimes shadows fall from heaven 
That we may the stronger be ; 
But, if we ourselves have made them, 
They bring naught but misery. 

Then if shadows fall around you 
E'er discern whence they have come; 
And if heaven's shade surround you 
Learn to say — 'Thy will be done." 



Heart- Whispers. 



Do you know what makes your shadow ? 
You 're between it and the light ; 
And if you'd remove the shadow, 
Keep your own self out of sight. 

APPLE BLOSSOMS. 

Apple boughs laden with blossoms fair, 
Spilling your fragrance everywhere; 
Telling the world in your strange, sweet 

way, 
Of hidden treasures now stored away. 

Ere many mornings or moons shall wane, 
When harvests yield their golden grain, 
Then we'll be knowing what sweets you 

hold 
Beneath your beauteous petal's fold. 

No one can fathom thy mystery; 
Heaven alone holds Nature's key; 
This is the hope I've gathered from thee, 
That there's some good stored away in me. 



Childhood's FUeting Days. 



CHILDHOOD'S FLEETING DAYS. 

The days of happy childhood go, 
And leave us full of anxious care; 
I hold that life should not be so, 
But ever grow more bright and fair. 
The clouds of youth were soon dispelled ; 
We see but rainbows in youth's tears ; 
Why were we then so free from care ? 
Why full of gloom in after years ? 

Were there no dangerous paths to tread? 

Were there no bitter foes to face ? 

We were so sure of daily bread ; 

So sure to find a resting place ; 

We never knew an anxious thought, 

But trusted all to parents good ; 

We had such faith in human hands — 

Whv should we doubt God's fatherhood? 



Heart- Whispers. 



He can protect us from all ill, 
As in the days of innocence ; 
Cast off responsibility, 
And trust more in God's providence, 
Let us be children once again, 
Doing our part, but trusting more, 
Then shall life be more glad and free, 
Than e'er it was in days of yore. 

WHA'LL KEEP MY BAIRN? 

Wha'U keep my bairn 
Safe f rae all harm ? 
Wha'll guide his lifeboat 
Thro' calm and storm ? 
Ill winds may blaw him 
Far frae his hame; 
Evil sprites lure him 
Under the faem. 



12 



The Robin's First Song. 



Angel o' Heaven 
His pilot be ; 
Bring him frae danger 
To Heaven and me. 
Wad thou gang wi' him, 
Nae power could stay 
My bairn frae gaun 
The Heavenward way. 

THE ROBIN'S FIRST SONG. 

O sweet to me is the robin's first song, 

As he sings in the darkness and hopes for 

the dawn; 
He speaks to my heart of a brighter day, 
When life's night has passed away. 
O robin, you know not the joy you have 

given, 
Singing your song so blithe and free; 
"The darkness of earth is the dawn of 

heaven," 
Are the words you sang to me. 
13 



Heart- Whispers. 



Then sing your sweetest song, 
The night will not last long; 
Earth's darkness will melt away 
Into God's eternal day. 

Though the night is dark and the way is 

drear, 
Sing, for you know not the hearts you may 

cheer ; 
The lonely and desolate, weeping apart, 
May hear you and take heart 
To bear with patience life's burdens and 

pain, 
Knowing God's arm is not withdrawn. 
Knowing earth's trials are not in vain, 
Earth's darkness is but heaven's dawn. 

Then sing your sweetest song, 

The night will not last long; 

Earth's darkness will melt away 

Into God's eternal dav. 



14 



spring Beauties. 



SPRING BEAUTIES. 

Pretty spring beauties! pink and white 

faces, 
Blooming again in the same old places, 
Where first I found you in childish glee, 
Then you seemed nodding to welcome me. 

Lovely wild blossoms! again returning. 
Bidding the song birds a glad good morn- 
ing. 
Tell me, my beauties, how do you know 
When to awaken, when you should grow? 

Does nature woo you with soft caresses? 
Do voices call you from the dead grasses ? 
Or does our Father in pearly dew. 
Sunbeams and zephyrs whisper to you ? 

Flower of the wildwood, O could we alway 
Hear Nature whisper, and like thee obey ; 
Thou so obedient, gentle and sweet. 
Only a wild flower, yet so complete. 
15 



Heart- Whispers. 



FALLING LEAVES. 

(A LULLABY.) 

One by one they're falling, 
Children of the trees ; 
Pretty leaflets dancing, 
Whirling in the breeze 

And falling 
Downward, O so gently. 
Noiseless as the dew. 
While the mother tree sighs low, 
And sings, dear one, to you, 

Hush-a-by, lullaby, 

Little leaves are falling; 

Down they go, now so low, 

O dear, how appalling. 

Ere wintry winds doth 'round me blow 

Each little leaf must go. 



i6 



Falling Leaves. 



Thus do wayward children, 
Like the little leaves, 
Leave their homes for pleasure, 
While some fond heart grieves, 

They're drifting 
Downward, O so surely, 
Heedless as they stray; 
Heavenly Father, keep my lambs 
Forever in thy way, 

Hush-a-by, lullaby. 

Little leaves are falling; 

Down they go, now so low, 

O dear, how appalling. 

Ere wintry winds doth 'round me blow 

Each little leaf must go. 



17 



Heart- Whispers. 



NIGHT AND DAY. 

Though no sun hghts my way, 
For some — 'tis bright; 
For some — 'tis joyous day, 
For me — 'tis night. 

The sun his course shall run, 
And bring the day, 
And every morn begun. 
Must fade away. 

But soon a day shall dawn 
That hath no night, 
When every suffered wrong 
Shall be made right. 

Hush thou, my heart, and wait ! 
Twill not be long. 
Each sigh — at heaven's gate — 
Will be a song. 



i8 



June. 



JUNE. 

The world is full of melody, 
All nature teems with happiness; 
Why should I my poor song repress, 
When my heart's filled with ecstacy? 

The wild birds sing in leafy tree, 
The zephyrs sigh in cadence sweet; 
The waters rippling at my feet, 
All blend in one grand symphony. 

The fragrant violet in the dell. 
The cowslip on the mossy lea, 
Oft speak in tender tones to me, 
And chimes peal from the lily bell. 

The world is full of harmony ; 
There is no discord — save in me, 
For life and love and liberty 
Can make earth all that heaven need be. 
19 



Heart- Whispers. 



THE LITTLE RED JACKET. 

Little red jacket, you once held a form 

Dearer than life to me. 

Whether in sunshine, whether in storm, 

Happy and gay was he ; 

For life seemed one long summer day. 

And youth an endless dream ; 

But now he's drifting far away, 

Adown life's surging stream. 

Little red jacket, you're old and worn, 

(O, how the tear drops swell). 

By the same master that you were torn. 

My heart has been torn as well ; 

He ne'er remembers her who watched 

His cradle while he slept; 

He ne'er recalls the hand that dried 

His tear drops when he wept. 



Afterwhile. 



Little red jacket, should he return, 

Should he come back some day, 

He will find you just the same — 

He'll find me old and gray. 

Though time has changed my face and 

form, 
My love is still the same ; 
No time can change a mother's love, 
While earth and heaven remain. 

AFTERWHILE. 

Grandma rocking to and fro; 
Deanie, sitting on her knee, 
Questions, ''Will the angels know 
When to come for ma and me? 
For you know we're going to heaven," 
Confidently lisped he on. 
"When?" asked grandma. He replied, 
"Oh, when ma's work is done." 

21 



Heart- Whispers. 



REFLECTION. 

Life is all about me, 
Teeming glad and free; 
My heart alone is sobbing 
For Thee — only Thee. 

Ev'ry flower around me, 
Ev'ry fragrance rare, 
Breathes, but to remind me 
Of a flower more fair. 

Ev'ry whispering zephyr, 

Ev'ry sweet bird's trill 

Stirs my heart with thoughts of you. 

Lying on the hill. 

Nature, would you teach me 

As all life grows old, 

That flowers, birds and loving hearts 

All must turn to mould? 

Though time brings death to all, 
By death is life fed ; 
Springtime brings the birds and flowers. 
Heaven brings back our dead. 



Bleeding Heart. 



BLEEDING HEART. 

Poor bleeding heart, why droop thy head 

In abject misery? 

For thou hast e'er a multitude 

To bear thee company. 

There's not a heart in all the world 
But some blood stains are there; 
And not a happy heart in heaven 
But had its pain to bear. 

Thou mind'st me of the Sacred Heart 
That bled on Calvary, 
That every human blossom 
Might bloom eternally. 

And so I sit and dream of heaven, 
And with what glad surprise 
We'll wake to find that hearts ne'er bleed 
In realms beyond the skies. 
23 



Heart- Whispers. 



ANEMONE. 

Anemone, so pure and white, 
Thou 'rt called a common flower, 
And yet so lovely, well thou might 
Bedeck a prince's bower. 

Thou art set in emerald leaves. 
Each flower a tiny gem; 
Thou art fair Flora's pleiades,^ 
Star clusters on each stem. 

O blossom, so divinely formed. 
And common though thou be, 
Thou hast God's temples oft adorned ; 
Pure, sweet anemone. 

GRATITUDE. 

We come, dear Lord, with grateful hearts 
For blessings manifold. 
And for this truth — that all may come 
And rest within Love's fold; 
And if sometimes we fail to see 
Rich blessings in disguise, 
O pardon our infirmity 
And ope our blinded eyes. 
24 



The Oriole s Nest. 



THE ORIOLE'S NEST. 

"Where shall we build our little nest? 

"Ta-ree, ta-rah, ta-ree." 

An oriole sang and pruned his breast : 

Ta-ree, ta-rah, ta-ree." 

"Here among these apple blossoms," 

Said his good old dame, 

"We'll have worms and bugs a plenty, 

And shelter from the rain." 

"But what if some bad boys should come? 

Ta-ree, ta-rah, ta-ree. 

And steal away our pretty home? 

Ta-ree, ta-rah, ta-ree." 

"O, my dear, you're always fearing 

Ills that never come : 

What would any boy be wanting 

With an oriole's home ?" 



25 



Heart- Whispers. 



And so these old birds hung their nest 

Upon the apple tree ; 

A lad came by and clambered up, 

The oriole's nest to see. 

The mother bird flew high, now low, 

Crying "Ta-rah, ta-ree." 

Quoth Mr. Bird, "I told you so. 

Ta-ree, ta-rah, ta-ree." 

RISEN. 

GOOD FRIDAY. 

'Twas on this day my Savior died, 
Was nailed to the cross — crucified; 
Out on the brow of Calvary 
He died for all humanity. 

SATURDAY. 

On this day He lay in the grave, 
Guarded by Roman soldiers brave; 
Filled were his followers' hearts with gloom 
For their Lord lay in this new tomb. 
26 



Easter Sunday. 



EASTER SUNDAY. 

The coming morn they sadly came, 
And found the tomb where He had lain, 
Empty; — But saw with glad surprise. 
Their risen Lord before their eyes. 

Hail to the first glad Easter day 
When angels rolled the stone away ! 
My Savior rose; He lives again 
In every willing heart of man. 

LIFE LIKE A RIVER FLOWS. 

We'll see the flowers again, dear. 
For life like a river flows, 
Thro' lonely moor and desert drear, 
And the gardens of the rose, 
The jasmine and the mignonette 
All laden with perfume. 
And though we're in the desert now. 
We'll come to where they bloom. 
27 



Heart- Whispers, 



Dear heart, 

Some day, some day, life will be brighter; 

Darkness will vanish and shadows will flee ; 

Summer will come with its beauty and glad- 
ness. 

Shedding life's blossoms 'round you, love, 
and me. 

No birds sing in our hearts, dear, 

For darkening night has come. 

But when the purple morning dawns, 

They'll sing their sweetest song; 

Although the night is here, dear. 

And summer seems far away, 

The flowers will bloom, and birds will sing 

Again for us, some day. 

Dear heart, 
Some day, some day, life will be brighter; 
Darkness will vanish and shadows will flee ; 
Summer will come with its beauty and 

gladness, 
Shedding life's blossoms 'round you, love, 

and me. 



28 



Christmas Bells, 



CHRISTMAS BELLS. 

Ring out, ye bells of Christmas day, 
The sin from earth shall pass away; 
Awake, ye shepherds now to greet 
This hallowed morn, so glad, so sweet; 
For lo ! to earth a king has come. 
Who left for us His starry home. 
Ring out, ye bells of Christmas, ring, 
And tell the world of Christ, our King. 

O Bethlehem ! thou beautiful ! 
In fair Judea's lonely vale 
Thou gavest to the world a King 
Whose praises worlds on worlds shall sing. 
Let every heart its homage pay 
To Christ our King, this Christmas day. 
Ye Christmas bells, peal out! O ring! 
And tell the world of Christ, our King. 
29 



Heart- Whispers. 



A PLEA. 

Lord, take away this selfish wish 

For happiness, 
And let me not for aye 

My own wants press, 
But let my life and prayer 

Another bless, 
And thus bless Thee; 
When pleasures fain would woo me 

From Thy love, 
When earth would tempt my heart 

From heaven above, 
O, then Thou wilt Thy gracious 

Power prove. 
And succor me. 

If weaker, blinder souls than mine 
Doth wonder here, 

Pray, help me light their way 
With love and cheer, 
30 



Dgarer Than You Were in Childhood's Days. 

And in the darkness, O 

Wilt Thou be near 
To lead us on ; 
For if that gentle hand of Thine 

But lead the way, 
No danger can oppress, 

No fears dismay; 
O, guide us safely on that 

Upward way. 
To heaven — our home. 

DEARER THAN YOU WERE IN CHILD- 
HOOD'S DAYS. 

Tm thinking of my childhood's happy days, 
When mother's hair was dark, her eyes 

were bright; 
Then roses blossomed on her cheeks always 
Her heart seemed ever joyous, gay and 

light. 
The years have changed those locks to 

silv'ry gray, 

31 



Heart- Whispers. 



And tears have dimmed those eyes of lovely 

hue; 
But, mother, while my heart beats, you may 

know 
Its fondest throbs will ever beat for you. 
No time can change the love that fills my 

breast, 
Or make me e'er forget thy gentle ways; 
Time but reveals how you my life have 

blessed. 
You're dearer than you were in childhood's 

days. 
How joyous were those days, now long 

gone by. 
How happy were the years I spent with 

you; 
You kissed each tear of sorrow from my 

eye, 
'Twas then I dreamed that skies were ever 

blue. 
If I could only kiss your tears away, 
And soothe your heart, dear, as you used to 

mine; 

could I see you happy day by day, 

1 would all other joys of life resign. 

32 



Heart- Whispers. 



HEART WHISPERS. 

John xiv. 

Let not your heart troubled be, 
You trust in God — O trust in Me, 
I'll prepare a place for thee, 
In mansions fair, 
Beside the crystal sea; 
The streets pure gold shall be; 
Thy life eternally. 
Be freed from care. 

In My Father's house of light. 
There returns no day or night; 
God himself shall be the light 
Forevermore. 
In heaven forever blest. 
Each weary heart finds rest; 
Peace in each loving breast 
Dwells evermore. 
33 



Heart- Whispers. 



SUPPLICATION. 

Thy kingdom come, O Lord, 
Into our hearts, we pray ; 
May Thy love and tenderness 
Dwell in us day by day : 
When life's day grows dark, Lord, 
And darker falls the night, 
O, do not Thou forsake us. 
But keep us by Thy might. 

Keep us from love of idols, 

Strange idols of the earth ; 

The love of homage, love of self — 

Of gold — teach us Thy worth. 

Teach us that though we are despised 

And poverty our lot. 

True happiness and wealth is this, — 

Thy love, which faileth not. 



34 



America. 



AMERICA. 

America, our own dear land, 
Our hearts for thee with rapture glow, 
Thou art the gem of ocean grand, 
Thou'st triumphed over ev'ry foe ; 
No woe that ever to thee came, 
In thy land, or from o'er the sea. 
But added glory to thy name. 
And made some loyal subjects free. 

In years gone by — a refuge thou, — 
To weary pilgrims tempest riven, 
Homeless, they sought thee o'er the main, 
They found in thee the longed for haven. 
Though years have passed, thou art un- 
changed. 
The oppressed of earth still look to thee, 
And find that thou art still the same, 
Land of the brave, home of the free. 



35 



Heart- Whispers. 



WHEN MY HEART KNOWETH PEACE. 

When in Jesus I'm safely abiding 
'Tis then that my heart knoweth peace; 
When to Him every care I'm confiding 
He brings from all care sweet release ; 
When life's troubled waters surge 'round 

me 
And my heart is o'erburdened with woes, 
O 'tis then He doth still the wild tempest, 
And bring to my heart calm repose. 

How often earth's pleasures allure me, 

How often my wayward feet stray; 

But each time His strong arm doth secure 

me. 
Each time leads me back in His way. 
Blest Saviour, grant more of thy spirit; 
Give me the sweet water of life; 
And grant, as more grace I inherit, 
More freedom from sin and earth's strife. 
36 



The Good Shepherd. 



THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 

O tender Shepherd, hear my cry, 

A lamb has left the fold ; 

Pray do not let him wander far 

Or perish with the cold; 

He cannot 'scape the dangerous way 

Without Thy hand to guide ; 

Where e'er his wandering feet may stray, 

Keep ever near his side. 

Thou knowest how bright each pathway 

seems, 
In life's first morning hours ; 
With golden hope each prospect gleams, 
Youth's path is strewn with flowers ; 
But soon or late the night will fall, 
The night of sin and pain. 
To dull each hope; where flowers once 

bloomed, 
But cruel thorns remain. 
37 



Heart- Whispers. 



O Shepherd, hear my plaintive cry, 

A precious lamb is gone; 

No power can save, no hand but Thine 

Can lead him safely home; 

O Shepherd kind, O Shepherd true. 

His wayward feet restrain; 

Enfold him in Thine arms of love, 

And bring him back again. 

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS. 

May these flowers speak to you, 

Of a Christmas long ago, 

When the loveliest blossom the world e'er 

knew, 
Lay in a manger low ; 
The angels sang at His coming, 
A star proclaimed His birth; 
And soon or late this blossom of love 
With fragrance shall fill the earth. 
38 



A /ways ift de White Folks Way. 



ALWAYS IN DE WHITE FOLKS' WAY. 

I'll tell you, friend, what troubles me, 
If you'll listen to an old man's tale; 
It ain't about no broken hearts, 
Nor 'bout no home for sale; 
You see, I'll soon be ripe for heav'n ; 
I's gettin' mighty old and gray, 
And what I can't quite understand 
Is, whar dis nigger's gwine to stay. 

For when I hear de white folks talk 

'Bout de place they long to be. 

Then I'm feared de white folk's heav'n 

Am not de place for me; 

When they talk 'bout heav'n so fine, 

Whar they's always gwine to stay. 

Don't see how I'll get in thar, 

Kase I's always in de white folks' way. 



^Q 



Heart- Whispers. 



Vxw feared when I come to die 

De Lawd won't take me whar white folks 

stay; 
He'll membah down in Ohio 
I's always in de white folks' way. 
But when He wants dem streets swept clean 
Or polish on de golden stair, 
He may find white folks ain't no 'count, 
And want dis poor nigger up there. 

BECAUSE OF YOU. 

Because of you, because of you. 
My heart doth find no rest; 
The perfect peace which once I knew, 
No longer fills my breast. 

Because of you, because of you, 
My eyes are filled with tears. 
No ray of hope for me doth shine, 
To light the coming years. 

Because of you, because of you. 
If heaven be lost to me, 
'Twill be because my wretched heart 
Hath stayed its love on thee. 
40 



A Morning Reverie. 



A MORNING REVERIE. 

Awake, awake, dost thou not hear, 

God gives thee music in the birds' sweet 
song; 

Awake, awake, give Him thine ear; 

The morning wanes — the song can not last 
long; 

He speaks to thee most tenderly, 

He waits to cheer thy heart, 

He knows the night has brought thee grief 
and pain; 

O listen to Him calling thee. 

He waits for thee apart ; 

He loves thee, and would tell thee so again; 

Awake ! God waits to tell thee 

Why He crushed thy heart with woe, 

Thou canst see Him better far through sor- 
row's veil. 

Eternal joys are thine, 

How canst thou spurn them so? 

He would have thee to possess them with' 
out fail. 

41 



Heart- Whispers. 



SHEPHERDS HEARD THE ANGELS SING, 

Shepherds heard the angels sing 

Long, long, long ago; 

Of a little baby King 

In a manger low; 

Wise men traveled o'er the plains, 

From distant lands afar, 

The shepherds and the wise men came, 

Guided by a star, 

To worship Jesus, 

Our Redeemer, King. 

O Earth and Heaven, 

With His praises ring! 
We may hear the angels sing. 
If we listen well; 
If we truly loved the King, 
Peace with us would dwell; 
We would be as wise as they, 
If we would leave all, 
Seeking Jesus every day, 
At His feet to fall, 
42 



Penitence. — Why do the Stars Fade? 

To worship Jesus, 
Our Redeemer, King, 
O Earth and Heaven, 
With His praises ring. 

PENITENCE, 

Why are thine eyes so cold, dear, 
Thine eyes so cold and gray, 
They beamed with love but yester e'en, 
They gleam with hate to-day. 

If I have failed to do my part, 
Then, love, I've tried in vain, 

give me one forgiving look 
And bid me try again. 

*VHY DO THE STARS FADE? 

Why do they turn the lights out 
That hang away up in the sky? 
They're always gone in the morning — 

1 often wonder why 

43 



Heart- Whispers. 



They do not twinkle all day long, 
Just as they do at night ; 
Would they not be beautiful 
In the bright sun light? 

Stars shine brightest in the dark; 
Darling, you wonder why — 
Remember tho' they fade at morn, 
They're always in the sky. 

Why do the stars of our hearts fade 

Just when our lives seem bright? 

Would it not be better far 

If there came no night ? 

Perhaps our souls like twinkling stars. 

Will but the brighter be, 

For the darkness and the night, 

On life's restless sea. 



^Suggested by the inquiry of a child on 
seeing the evening star, "Why do they turn 
the lights out in the sky?" 

44 



Petition. 



PETITION. 

O Lord of life we come to Thee, 
Thy strength and help to plead; 
Knowing Thy hand can well supply 
Each humble creature's need. 

We need Thy strength, dear Lord, to live. 
That we Thy life may prove, 
That others may in us behold 
Thy goodness and Thy love. 

We need Thy help that we may be 
Helpful to all around: 
O may Thy help and strength and love 
In each frail heart be found. 

Each broken heart, each falling tear 
Thy pitying eye doth see ; 
And Thou wilt bless the contrite soul 
That fain would rest in Thee. 



45 



Heart- Whispers. 



THE LITTLE TIN SWORD. 

The little sword hangs on the wall, 
That he played with long ago; 
The little tin sword he used to wear, 
When he went to meet the foe; 
How brave was our captain then, 
With his beautiful eyes of blue, 
With never a tremor, never a fear, 
As the enemy came in view. 

They marched right into the camp, 
Undaunted as rebels could be; 
But the little hero's courage rose, 
And he charged on the enemy; 
He put them all to flight, 
That hen and her turkeys three; 
And I see him now as he proudly came 
To tell of his victory. 



46 



Dwell in Me, 



The little sword hangs on the wall, 

And there it shall ever stay, 

For the little boy that hung it there 

Has gone far, far away ; 

Where he '11 have no foes to fight, 

No victories to win. 

Dear little boy, how 1 wish you were here 

To play with your sword of tin. 

DWELL IN ME. 

Holy Spirit dwell in me, 
Teach mine erring feet the way; 
As I journey here below, 
Guide me ev'ry day. 
Show me what I ought to do, 
Help me shun the wrong, 
In this varied chain of life 
Make the weak link strong. 
47 



Heart- Whispers. 



Holy Spirit dwell in me, 

Fill my soul with Thy rich grace; 

Let me all the beauty see, 

In my Saviour's face. 

Till at last His life shall be 

Mirrored in mine own, 

And the likeness God can see, 

To His own dear Son. 

Holy Spirit dwell in me. 

Till life's night has passed away; 

When with rapture I shall wake 

In eternal day. 

I shall dwell with Christ, my Lord, 

In our heavenly home. 

And He will present me then, 

Faultless at the throne. 



48 



Winona, 



WINONA. 



There 's a spot on earth to me most dear, 

Not far away; 

That can bring the saddest heart some 

cheer 
Every day. 
That can chase every care from the anxious 

heart, 
Bring the roses to cheeks now pale; 
O Winona, home of sweet repose, 
To thee — all hail ! 

Winsome Winona, beauty's home, 
Heaven hath adorned thee; 
Here should all the weary come 
To wander glad and free ; 
Charmed from every thought of care 
To rest in thee. 

49 



Heart- Whispers, 



Thy glades abound with babbling springs, 

Sparkling and bright; 

In vine-clad trees the sweet bird sings 

From morn till night. 

There the flowers bloom gaily with their 

perfume sweet, 
And the lake waters dance and play ; 
Earth's paradise ! Could we but rest 
In thee alway. 

Winsome Winona, beauty's home, 
Heaven hath adorned thee; 
Here should all the weary come 
To wander glad and free; 
Charmed from every thought of care 
To rest in Thee. 



50 



Trust. 



TRUST. 



O Saviour, take my hand in Thine, 

And lead me gently on 

Through pastures green, or desert drear, 

Until I reach my home ; 

For life's path winds thro' meadows, 

And oft through barren moor, 

No matter where my path lies, 

With Thee I am secure. 

O Saviour, take my hand in Thine, 
For dangers 'round me press, 
To keep from the living way, 
And from Thy righteousness; 
But with Thy hand to guide me, 
No evil will I fear, 
No ill can e'er betide me, 
If only Thou art near. 



51 



Heart- Whispers. 



WHAT IF MY LORD SHOULD COME TO-NIGHT. 

I questioned with my heart last eve, 

When all were gay and light, 

The guests were clad in richest garb, 

With jewels sparkling bright; 

Sweet flowers were there — the music 

swelled — 
Mingling with their perfume; 
But still my heart asked o'er and o'er, 
What if my Lord should come ? 

What if my Lord should come to-night, 
A carpenter lone and poor? 
Would He find a welcome here, 
If He sought my door? 

I know my Lord shall come again ; 

If it be soon or late, 

I can not tell : but this I know. 

He bids me watch and wait. 

O they who would His glory view. 

And would His chosen be. 

Must live the life that once He lived 

Of sweet humility. 

52 



Keep Thou My Heart. 



KEEP THOU MY HEART. 

Lord, I surrender, I come to Thee, 
Humbled before Thee, come set me free; 
Free from this sinful life, 
With care oppressed, 
I am so weary. Lord, 
Give me Thy rest. 

Lord, I surrender, O let me be 

Emptied of self love, filled, filled with Thee; 

Keep me this day, O Lord, 

Faithful and true. 

And with each morning's dawn 

Thy grace renew. 

Lord, I surrender, take Thou my life, 
Cleanse it of envy, cleanse it of strife ; 
Clothe me with righteousness, 
Thy grace impart, 
And 'midst all dangers here 
Keep Thou my heart. 
53 



Heart- Whispers. 



COMING AGAIN. 

When wilt Thou come again, Saviour Di- 
vine? 
Will it be with the morning light? 
/ust as the rosy dawn tinges the sky, 
And the last star has followed the night? 

When wilt Thou come again, Saviour Di- 
vine? 

Will it be at noon, or eve'n? 

Hush! restless heart. Thou dost question 
in vain — 

The time is known only in heaven. 

Saviour, my heart clings to this blessed 

hope, 
That soon Thou wilt claim Thine own ; 
Then every kingdom to Thee shall be given, 
And Thou be the King on love's throne. 

Thou art coming again, coming again, 
With grace and power from above. 
Coming in clouds, with a glittering train, 
To establish Thy kingdom of love. 
54 



He Loves Us StiH. 



HE LOVES US STILL, 
In Remembrance of the Services of S. H. Hadley. 

He loved me for His goodness, not for 

mine; 
In Him alone the heavenly virtues shine; 
It was no common love, but love Divine 

That first sought me ; 
He sought me in His goodness and His 

love, 
And bade me of His power taste and prove ; 
He wooed me that I might no longer rove 

On life's dark sea. 

Since then He's kept me by His love and 

power ; 
He keeps me in His way from hour to hour ; 
If life is bright, or if the storm cloud lower 

I'll fear no ill ; 
His power and love are boundless, kind and 

true; 
He keeps me in His care. He'll keep you, 

too; 
He reads all hearts, He knows us thro' and 
thro' 

And loves us still. 
55 



Heart- Whispers. 



PURPLE COLUMBINE. 

Columbine, tell me, O tell 

Why you ring your purple bell ? 

Do the fairies hear you ring? 

And what would you have them bring? 

You are surely well supplied, 
Naught to you has been denied ; 
You have food and nectared dew; 
You have health and beauty too. 

Surely you are satisfied 
With your home all tapestried, 
And your raiment — royal robes — 
Might be envied by the gods. 

Columbine, you are content 
Just to be the thing God meant ; 
O could I but learn the way 
How to be content each day. 



56 



Fantines Farewell to Cosette. 



FANTINE'S FAREWELL TO COSETTE. 

What can this life e'er hold for thee, 

My own wee lamb? 

No future happiness I see 

For thee, my lamb. 

My hopes for thee lie in the grave ; 

No more bright dreams for thee I'll have; 

But I alone the world will brave, 

For thee, wee lamb. 

May winds of heaven around you blow, 

My own wee lamb; 

And may you ne'er such sorrow know 

As mine, wee lamb. 

How oft for thee my heart will yearn ; 

And scalding tears my eyes will burn; 

God keep thee safe till my return. 

My own. wee lamb. 



57 



Heart- Whispers, 



SPIRIT, TENDER, HOLY. 

Spirit, tender, Holy, 
Come and dwell in me; 
By Thy power wholly 
Cometh victory. 
Needless is life's warfare. 
Naught have we to dread 
If we yield to Thy care, 
If by Thee we're led. 

Spirit, tender. Holy, 
Make my heart Thy home; 
Make me pure and lowly, 
Gentle spirit, come. 
I would feel Thy power. 
All Thy goodness see, 
I would be this hour 
Bathed in purity. 

58 



spirit. Tender, Holy. 



Spirit, tender, Holy, 
Cleanse me from all sin; 
Reign in my heart wholly, 
Now, Thy work begin ; 
Be my strength in weakness. 
Quell my foolish fears, 
Be my stay in sickness. 
Sweeten all my tears. 



Spirit, tender. Holy, 
Live in me supreme; 
Guided by Thee wholly, 
Thy power be my theme. 
Spirit, Thou wilt never 
Leave me, for by Thee 
Are life's discords ever 
Made sweet harmonv. 



59 



Heart- Whispers. 



INVOCATION. 

O church of God, why stand you dumb 
Like an ox lowing for his food? 
Content with wealth, if thou hast some, 
As though it were thy greatest good, 
The pleasing stone, you seek to give, 
While earth's poor children cry for bread; 
They seek the truth that they may live. 
With theological husks they're fed. 

O church of God where is thy power, 
Why art thou falt'ring, why so weak? 
The Holy Spirit is thy dower; 
Why dost thou other than this seek ? 
Thou canst walk blameless, undefiled, 
A living fire thou still canst be. 
If thou wilt to the Spirit yield 
And serve in His humility. 



60 



Sounds From Home. 



O church of God, why slumber on? 
Why sleepest thou? thy Lord is near; 
The Bridegroom comes to claim His own; 
Awake! Awake! Lo, He is here. 
Awake, O church, gird on thy sword ; 
His might and power, still, still are thine ; 
Array thyself to meet thy Lord, 
Awake ! O bride, arise and shine. 

SOUNDS FROM HOME. 

Sounds from home come stealing o'er me, 

Like an old familiar tune. 

And I see again the faces 

That I loved in childhood's home; 

Hear again their happy voices. 

Ringing out in merry glee, 

And those voices still enchant me 

Like an old sad melody. 



6i 



Heart- Whispers. 



Sounds from home come floating o'er me, 

Like a shower of rose-leaves sweet; 

And I see again the garden 

Where once roamed my childish feet ; 

Then I tripped from bud to blossom, 

Singing gaily all the while, 

And dear mother walked beside me. 

With her patient, gentle smile. 

Sounds from home come stealing o'er me 
Like a strange and sweet perfume; 
And I sigh that such rare pleasures 
Never more on earth shall come; 
But far sweeter joys await us, 
In our home beyond the skies; 
We shall roam again with loved ones 
In the fields of paradise. 



62 



THREE ^ 
PIONEERS, 



THREE PIONEERS 

Is written in memory of my father, John B. Squier, 
M. D., who when a lad of four years, came with 
his parents and two other families from New York 
to Ohio in 1822 and settled in Crawford County on 
the banks of the Sandusky River. 

This little tale is based upon facts, though at 
times I have drifted into fancy's realm. 

Were I to separate the facts and fancies, this 
would no longer be a tale — but history. 

Author. 



Three Pioneers, 



The shadows fall o'er Sulphur Springs, soft 

falls the evening dew, 
The sun creeps farther toward the west, the 

skies fast lose their blue; 
Bright clouds are changing into gray, the 

day draws to its close. 
The twittering birds have gone to rest; all 

nature seeks repose — 
Unless perchance the noisy breeze, which 

ever seems to be 
More boisterous at eventide, or 'neath 

night's canopy; 
For if on mischief he is bent, and would 

more loudly blow, 
Or would uproot a favorite tree, pray who 

is there to know. 



65 



Three Pioneers. 



The night falls fast; the stars come out their 

twinkling watch to keep, 
They twinkle, for they know how good the 

world is when asleep; 
They must know, too, of some dark deeds 

that better hidden be. 
But they — good knight-templars of heaven 

— are bound to secrecy. 
The night has fall'n; some pilgrims come 

in wagons old and mean; 
They've traveled far, and now they come to 

rest on the village green ; 
To rest their faithful horses and their tired 

bodies, too. 
There's none to give them welcome, nor one 

to bid them go. 
They came from dear old York State, four 

hundred miles away, 
And thither they shall not return for many 

a weary day; 



66 



Three Pioneers. 



For they are sturdy pioneers, brimfull of 

earnestness, 
And they have come to find a home in the 

western wilderness; 
They know what toil awaits them, what 

hardships they will meet. 
But they came here to conquer; they can 

not know defeat. 
So rest! ye weary pioneers, sleep on till 

break of day, 
And with the morning, bright and clear, 

God speed you on your way. 

II. 

Not many miles these pilgrims came till the 

close of another day. 
For traveling in that far off time was in a 

different way 
Than we are wont to travel now, on roads 

made smooth and clean. 



67 



Three Pioneers, 



For then they oft must cut their way or 

bridge a swollen stream. 
Weary with travel they alight, three sturdy 

pioneers, 
With wives, and children not a few, to add 

and lessen cares. 
They stop upon a green hillside, a river 

runs below; 
Said Samuel, "Why not stay here? Why 

should we farther go?" 
They all agreed right heartily, save Arnold, 

who said, "No — 
Let's put right on; who's tired ? Not I; 

we'll rest here for the night. 
Or if you wish a day or two, then take 

another flight." 
Then spake his young wife, Magdalen, with 

voice so sweet and clear, 
"I see no reason why we should go farther, 

let's stay here; 



68 



Three Pioneers. 



If for no other reason, dear Arnold, stay for 

me; 
It's been a long, long journey into this new 

country." 
Then spake the eldest of them all, said Wil- 
liam, "Let us wait. 
We'll just look 'round a day or so before 

we speculate; 
This is a mighty purty spot ; that settlement 

off there, 
I reckon, too, would add a bit in comfort or 

despair." 
"Despair," they shouted with one voice, 

"despair we'll never know;" 
Then answered William. "That is true; I 

meant in times of woe; 
For we all surely realize that this life at its 

best. 
Must bring a deal of hardship, and mighty 

little rest ; 



69 



Three Picneers. 



The Indians all about us will give us many 

a scare, 
And any hearts less brave than ours I 

reckon might despair; 
But we've agreed that come what will, we'll 

face it and be brave, 
And I, my friends, have confidence that 

there is One can save 
From any danger, small or great, if we 

from day to day 
Look to Him for His loving care ; my dear 

friends, let us pray." 
So with bowed heads they reverently knelt 

down upon the sward. 
And William in a voice subdued prayed 

thus: — "We thank Thee, Lord, 
That Thou hast kept us constantly within 

Thy loving care. 
And we may ever be with Thee, for Thou 

art everywhere. 



70 



Three Pioneers. 



Thou knowest that many dangers will be 

our portion here; 
O, wilt Thou be our strength, dear Lord, 

and quell each rising fear; 
And should evil overtake us, wilt Thou our 

cause defend, 
And bring us home at last to heaven, world 

without end. Amen." 
These pilgrims rose from off their knees 

with those feelings secure, 
That every one must feel, who trusts in 

God's omniscient power; 
And if the answer to a prayer is not just 

what was meant, 
The one who waits will ever find a better 

answer sent. 

III. 

Now as they prayed the little ones were 
plucking nosegays fair. 



7' 



Three Pioneers. 



And twining them (with, O such grace) in 

little Olive's hair. 
They gathered them 'round the wagons, 

nor ventured from their sight, 
For in each tiny heart there lurked a fear, 

and well they might 
Fear in this mammoth wilderness, the home 

of animals 
And Indians, of whose savage deeds each 

little heart recalls 
The tales they heard while on their way into 

this strange country; 
The parents, too, 'twixt love and fear, 

watch each child carefully. 
But, as they rose from off their knees, a 

dismal cry rang out ; 
The children to their parents ran in terror, 

but without 
The fairest, loveliest of them all; sweet 

Olive, where was she? 



72 



Three Pioneers. 



It was her baby voice that cried somewhere 

in agony, 
Then stifled, just as if some hand had 

closed her mouth with might; 
And now these humble pioneers stand petri- 
fied with fright. 
"She can't be very far away," said Jane, 

"for 'twas but now 
She sat and watched us twine the flowers, 

we twined them for her brow. 
She was to be our little queen, and we 

would gypsies be. 
So we climbed in the wagons, and she sat 

by that tree; 
That tree right over there where you can 

see flowers scattered 'round, 
And just when we had all climbed in, we 

heard a little sound, 
We listened ; then a big red hand reached 

from behind the tree, 



73 



Three Pioneers. 



And snatched dear Olive from her place; 
where can poor Olive be ?" 

Where can she be ? Where can she be ? Ye 
heavens, tell us where ! 

Why did ye not protect her? O, vain, un- 
answered prayer! 

IV. 

Grim terror seized each trusting heart, — 
where could their loved one be; 

Could but this awful fear depart, e'en 
though reality. 

Were that her little mangled form served as 
some wild beast's prey, 

Or Red men, terrible, had bourne their lit- 
tle one away. 

For nothing can so craze the brain as mad- 
dening suspense; 

And who could reconcile such pain with a 
kind Providence? 



74 



Three Pioneers. 



The men sigh low, the women moan; all 

fear an Indian's hand 
Snatched Olive from her rustic throne, the 

queen of the gypsy band. 
They talked the matter o'er and o'er, with 

voices hushed and low ; 
How powerless to search for her, there 

were so few to go. 
They listened; if but once again she'd free 

herself and cry, 
They might the better follow her, though 

follow hopelessly. 
And O ! how one poor heart did bleed, the 

heart of her who bore 
This lovely blossom ; what indeed could life 

hold evermore. 
If this dear lamb were from her torn, 

naught could be left but woe ; 
She knelt down, and her rounded form kept 

swaying to and fro. 



75 



Three Pioneers. 



While in her heart of hearts she cried, "O 

Thou who hearest prayer, 
Send back my precious little one, for Thou 

didst ever care 
For little children, and I know Thou'lt my 

petition hear; 
When darkness all around shall fall,- how 

she will cry for me; 
And sob her little self to sleep, or die of 

misery. 
Send back my precious Olive. O Heaven, 

pity me!" 
E'en as she prayed, there in the dusk a 

strange sight did appear; 
Four Indians, straight as arrows, with 

Olive then drew near. 
She was bedecked with feathers gay, and 

ornaments; I ween 
A stranger sight than this array, these folk 

had never seen. 



76 



Three Pioneers. 



"We no hurt papoose, pale faces, we no hurt 

pale face. Ugh!" 
They said as they gave Olive back and of- 
fered a peace-pipe, too. 
Then William, stepping forward, took the 

peace-pipe with a bow. 
While Samuel and Arnold sought some 

gifts that they might show 
Their gratitude and their delight ; the future 

days would prove 
Their peace and friendship; (now all hoped 

they would no farther move.) 
Did not this strange experience teach them 

'twere best to stay 
Among these peaceful Indians ? It was but 

yesterday 
Folk told them in the settlement, the Wyan- 

dots were kind. 
And they had less of treachery than they 

would often find 



77 



Three Pioneers. 



In savages, whom they were sure to meet 

and live among; 
And so they gave the best of gifts that they 

had brought along; 
The Indians took them with much pride and 

hastened to be gone. 

V. 

Where could be found such gratitude as 

filled each thankful breast, 
As little Olive was passed 'round and to 

each bosom pressed; 
"Now praise to Him whose power and 

strength and love our cause defends, 
He's sent our little Olive back and given us 

new friends," 
Said Rhoda, (wife of Samuel and mother of 

the child.) 
Arnold replied with bitterness, as haughtily 

he smiled, 



78 



Three Pioneers. 



"Pray, what had God to do with that? They 

were but savage men 
That took the child away from us and 

brought her back again." 
Then Magdalen, within whose breast 

burned thoughts so good and pure, 
Said, with her dark eyes raised to heaven, 

''Rhoda, I, too, am sure 
That Heaven sent Olive back to us, though 

brought by Indian hands ; 
For every creature God has made, must do 

His least commands. 
The architect that formed the vase may fill 

it as he please. 
With weeds or flowers ; and though it break 

the fragments still are his." 
Then each discussed the question of the 

limit of God's power, 
And all agreed, (save Arnold) did we but 

trust Him more, 



79 



Three Pioneers. 



He would protect us from all ill, and make 

our lives secure, 
And give us that unbounded hope that 

could all things endure. 
And though sometimes evils appeared that 

seemed to overwhelm 
Our lives with woe, we could not sink while 

God was at the helm. 
Now they call the children to them, and 

looking up to heaven, 
They offer praise and gratitude for this last 

mercy given; 
Then bidding each a kind good night they 

seek their rest in peace, 
And find in sleep, — that transient death — 

from each care sweet release. 

VI. 

The days that followed were most full of 
work and eagerness. 



80 



Three Pioneers. 



To clear a little patch and get three homes 

in readiness; 
Three little cabins in the wood of logs were 

built that spring, 
Three little happy families oft made the 

woodland ring. 
The children (laughing in their play), Su- 
sannah and John B, 
Diana, Jane and fair Olive, William and 

Dorothy ; 
Now "London Bridge is Falling Down," 

"Puss Wants a Comer, Too," 
"And Many a Lass Have They Let Pass 

Because They Wanted You." 
Such happy, noisy boys and girls; such 

merry, boisterous din 
These children made, with now and then a 

healthy spat thrown in. 
How many a wild adventure the young lads 

sought and found ; 



8i 



Three Pioneers. 



With many a thrilling story, the evening 

tales they crowned. 
The parents sit at eventide, after a weary 

day, 
And talk of home and friends, the while 

they watch the children play. 
There's not a time in all the world the heart 

so often dreams 
As when we sit beneath the trees and watch 

the soft moonbeams 
Make shadows flit and come and go; how 

oft we watch a star 
And dream some well beloved friend now 

sees it from afar. 
And so they sit and dream of home, of days 

gone long before, 
And wish this new life were combined with 

the old life of yore. 
What could be more melodious than in the 

early morn, 



82 



Three Pioneers. 



To hear the wild birds calling, that a new 

day is born. 
They kill a deer beside the door, if venison 

they wish; 
And the Sandusky just below, can furnish 

them good fish. 
O many pleasures rare they find and many 

trials too; 
And sometimes home-sickness would gnaw 

their heart strings thro' and thro' ; 
Many a night the wolves did howl around 

their cabin door, 
Unless they kindled flaming fires ; then they 

were not secure, 
For panther, bear and wolverine e'er 

roamed the woodland through, 
While wild cats, snakes and ague made this 

their rendezvous. 
The Indians visit them oft times to trade 

their ornaments, 



83 



Three Pioneers. 



Their baskets, beads and moccasins; the 

Wyandot frequents 
The dwellings of the pioneer, and they have 

naught to fear, 
For with white neighbors they have dwelt 

in peace for many a year. 

VII. 

Each year goes by on fleeter wing than the 

year gone before ; 
Some years bring much new happiness, 

some years lost joys restore; 
But some are steeped in bitterness, and 

some are fraught with pain. 
But whether weal or woe they bring, they 

ne'er come back again. 
Each year's a flower in life's bouquet, let us 

this one thing do. 
Like bees, sip honey from the flowers, and 

let the poison go. 



Three Pio7ieers. 



The passing years brought changes to these 

good folk in the wood, 
New settlers coming now and then, found 

welcome, shelter, food. 
Two little spirits winged their way from 

William and Mary's home. 
Two little lassies never more will through 

the woodland roam; 
Two little mounds upon the hill bedecked 

with ferns and flowers, 
Oft speak to them in tender tones of by- 
gone happier hours ; 
Two little pilgrims came from heaven 

bringing sunshine with them. 
To light the home and cheer the hearts of 

Arnold and Magdalen. 
But as the years were going by, Arnold 

more silent grew, 
And sullen, until Magdalen could no longer 

subdue 



85 



Three Pioneers. 



Her anguish and her fears; she sought her 

husband questioning, 
"What has so changed your Hfe, dear love? 

Can I do anything 
That will restore the old-time smile, the 

love light in your eye? 
Have I proved other than you hoped in the 

happier days gone by ?" 
He looked at her, so beautiful in her young 

womanhood. 
As though he heard not, or half heard, but 

had not understood; 
She tried again to tell him of her anguish 

and her pain. 
His face lit for a moment, and then grew 

dark again; 
She tried to make him understand, but her 

heart grew sick with fear. 
The spectre that long haunted her, she 

knew indeed was here. 



86 



Three Pioneers. 



She told herself it could not be, and yet, O 

God! 'twas true; 
The mind she loved and trusted in, had fled ; 

what shall she do? 
So far away from earthly skill, save a few 

friends alone; 
A stranger in an alien land; her king had 

left his throne. 

VIII. 

This fear had long been with her, but she 

said " 'Twill pass away ; 
He's over-wrought and tired now; I'll help 

him some each day, 
And ere another moon comes 'round he'll 

be himself again ; 
And soon our boys will help him ; how 

happy we'll be then." 
This sweet, brave spirit strove each day to 

lighten her lord's work, 



87 



Three Pioneers. 



Nor did she for this chosen toil her other 

duties shirk; 
But hoped she, toiled she bravely on, her 

young mind fraught with care. 
Her slender body overworked, her pure 

heart filled with fear. 
Now as the truth flashed on her, and she 

knew her hopes were vain. 
What wonder that her heart rebelled; God 

pity her in her pain. 
"Surely, surely He has not heard. He must 

be far away. 
That is, if He is anywhere, too far to hear 

me pray." 
So darker, blacker grew the gloom that 

shrouded her young life; 
The days wore on, and new days came with 

all their duties rife. 
How can she bear her burden, without hope, 

or faith, or heart; 



L.cfC. 88 



Three Pioneers. 



And yet this hopeless struggle must ever be 
in life her part. 

IX. 

Now William passing, just thought he'd 

stop and see 
If Arnold would go with him the next morn 

to Sandusky. 
"I have a little wheat that I must take to 

Buffalo; 
We will drive through to Sandusky, then 

take the boat and go. 
I've seen that Arnold wa'n't himself; he 

seems a little blue; 
I thought the trip might do him good, if 

he'd nothing else to do." 
But Magdalen, disconsolate (though glad 

for his kind thought) 
Said, "I would like to have him go with 

you, but fear that naught 



89 



Three Pioneers. 



Can help my husband now. Life is a mys- 
tery, 
I can't see why this awful, awful blight 

should fall on me." 
Then William, good soul, tried to comfort 

her and said, "Don't pine. 
For God is in the darkness, as well as the 

sunshine ; 
It's now just as it used to be with Israel, 

far away, 
God's in the pillar of fire by night and in 

the cloud by day; 
Better to follow blindly on, than try to walk 

alone ; 
What often seems to us hard fate, is but a 

stepping stone. 
It's mighty hard to understand why some 

things are 'lowed to be. 
But when we get up yonder, I reckon we 

will see 



90 



Three Pioneers. 



And then be satisfied; up there, 'twill all be 

plain, 
Instead of findin' fault with Him, we'll 

thank him for our pain." 
But not one word of comfort, this heart 

grief-hardened hears, 
Till from the desert in her heart God calls 

the sparkling tears. 
O tears! Ye well-springs of our hearts, ye 

Niles that overflow. 
Enriching all thou waterest, the hills and 

vales below. 



With early morning William came, and yet 

too late came he; 
His wand'ring friend had stolen forth ere 

day-break, noiselessly ; 
Nor could one trace of him be found on 

plains or wooded hill, 



91 



Three Pioneers. 



Till after many days they came upon him 

cold and still ; 
Where the Sandusky meets and weds the 

Brokensword, he lay 
Among the weeds and golden-rod and pur- 
ple astors gay. 
They took him up, and tenderly they bore 

their comrade home, 
And laid him 'neath the maple trees, where 

autumn winds would moan 
A requiem for him who rests, — and sigh 

for her who weeps, 
Till broken-hearted Magdalen, at last, with 

her love sleeps. 

X. 

Those pioneers have passed away, their 

children, too, have gone, 
They left their wildwood home to wake in 

heaven's celestial dawn; 



92 



Three Pioneers. 



Their children's children scattered far o'er 

mountain, sea and plain, 
Can never know what life meant then, its 

perils, joy and pain. 
Nor could the early settlers know of what 

import were they 
In making this fair land of ours just what 

it is to-day. 
Here is my heart, and here's my hand, here, 

too, are falling tears 
For the first settlers of a land, brave, 

struggling pioneers. 



93 



DEC 3 1900 



lSaM,SU9S?ss 



015 799 650 2 



